The UK’s decision to postpone post-Brexit border checks on EU-sourced medium-risk fruit and vegetables has raised significant attention.
- The delay aims to allow a thorough consultation with stakeholders in the import supply chain regarding the new border regulations.
- This extension pushes the physical checks on produce from January 2025 to July 2025.
- Concerns from the food supply chain highlight potential cost impacts exceeding £300 million due to the new regulations.
- Certain commodities have been re-categorised to lower risk, facilitating smoother import from the EU.
The decision by the UK government to delay introducing post-Brexit physical checks on medium-risk fruit and vegetables from the European Union reflects an effort to engage with key stakeholders in the import supply chain. This consultation is crucial to understanding the implications and potential challenges posed by the regulations.
Originally scheduled to take effect in January 2025, the implementation of these checks has been postponed to 1 July 2025. This deferral aims to provide the new government with ample time to consider insights from businesses involved in the importation process. DEFRA has emphasised the need for this pause to thoroughly review planned border controls.
Since Brexit, the UK has outlined new border controls classifying imports into high, medium, and low-risk categories. While phases one and two were implemented, covering various goods with health certificates and physical checks, phase three has faced repeated delays. This third phase, focusing on produce checks, is postponed to allow more comprehensive government evaluation.
The move is not without its critics. The food supply chain stakeholders have expressed concerns that the new physical checks could introduce over £300 million in additional costs, potentially leading to higher consumer prices. Such economic implications have necessitated a cautious approach to rolling out these regulations.
In a notable development, DEFRA announced changes to the risk categorisation of specific plant products, with particular items reclassified from medium-risk to low-risk. From 30 January 2025, items such as apples and pears will be allowed freer movement from the EU, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, aligning with scientific reviews adjusting their risk levels.
The government’s delay reflects a strategic move to balance regulatory implementation with economic and stakeholder considerations.
